Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes.

Chapter 453: Back to Where They Belong

Mourinho felt even more at ease four minutes later.

In the 19th minute, Lingard drove the ball forward from midfield and passed diagonally. Under pressure from Bruno, Ward fell in the penalty area, allowing Bruno to score easily, giving United a 2-0 lead.

"2-0! Manchester United have extended their lead."

"Bruno's league goal tally is now 38, extending his lead over Messi by three goals. Unless Barcelona's star scores four goals in his final match, the European Golden Shoe is destined for Bruno!"

The stands erupted in cheers. Fans who had worried about the team's performance could now relax, as United were leading 2-0 less than twenty minutes into the first half.

Fans sang praises for Bruno, knowing he was the key to United's excellent season.

After conceding twice, Crystal Palace launched a counterattack. Former United player Zaha was particularly active, trying to score at Old Trafford.

If he could upset his former team at their home ground, it would be perfect.

However, United's defense was solid, and Palace's efforts had no effect. The first half ended with the score still at 2-0.

As per tradition, the home team's score is listed first.

At the same time, other matches around the league also reached halftime.

Chelsea 1:1 Sunderland;

Liverpool 1:0 Middlesbrough;

Watford 0:4 Manchester City;

Hull City 0:3 Tottenham;

Arsenal 2:0 Everton.

With these scores, United would win the title with a four-point lead over Chelsea. Tottenham remained firmly in third place.

The battle for fourth place was still intense. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool were all leading in their matches, putting each team at 74 points, with rankings decided by goal difference.

Manchester City's goal difference was 33, surpassing Arsenal's 32, moving City to fourth and Arsenal to fifth. Liverpool, with a goal difference of 28, remained sixth.

The final showdown would continue in the second half!

...

Stamford Bridge.

In the 60th minute, Chelsea counterattacked. Costa passed to Hazard on the left, who burst into the box and scored with a powerful shot.

2-1, Chelsea took the lead.

Hazard's goal gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope for the title, relying on their London rivals Crystal Palace to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In the 76th minute, a long pass from Chelsea's defense caused a mix-up between Lescott and the goalkeeper, allowing Pedro to score into an empty net, making it 3-1!

The victory seemed secure for Chelsea.

The stands at Stamford Bridge erupted in cheers.

Chelsea fans were no longer worried about their match but focused on the situation at Old Trafford.

The score there was still 2-0, with United leading by two goals.

Chelsea fans started cheering for Crystal Palace.

Conte remained silent, his face showing a mix of resignation and stubbornness.

It wasn't his team's poor performance—30 wins and 93 points, the second-highest in club history.

But those two Portuguese men were just too good, nullifying Chelsea's efforts.

...

The title race was almost settled, but the battle for fourth place continued.

In the 58th minute, Manchester City scored again, making it 5-0, increasing their goal difference to 34.

Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool launched a fierce attack, scoring twice in the 51st and 56th minutes, increasing their goal difference to 30, just four behind City.

Wenger's expression darkened as Arsenal conceded a goal at the same time City scored their fifth, reducing their goal difference to 31, three behind City.

To make matters worse for Wenger, Arsenal were down to ten men after Koscielny was sent off with a straight red card for a reckless challenge in the 14th minute.

TV cameras showed a banner in the stands at the Emirates, displaying Wenger's face, with the number "20" prominently visible. It symbolized the end of Arsenal's 20-year streak of qualifying for the Champions League, with City likely taking fourth place based on goal difference.

...

Aware of the situation in other matches, Guardiola felt confident and began making substitutions, bringing on Navas and Sagna for Sane and Yaya Toure.

City seemed ready to ease off.

By this point, the results were mostly decided, with little chance of change.

The only team continuing their onslaught was Tottenham, who had secured third place long ago but turned their match against Hull City into a rout.

Leading 3-0 at halftime, Spurs showed little urgency early in the second half. However, a consolation goal by Hull in the 66th minute seemed to anger Spurs, who then became more aggressive.

In the 69th minute, Wanyama headed in Eriksen's free-kick, making it 4-1.

Three minutes later, Kane completed his hat-trick, bringing his season total to 29 goals, though he was still far behind Bruno for the top scorer.

In the 84th minute, Wanyama set up Ben Davies, who scored from outside the box.

In the 87th minute, Trippier crossed for Alderweireld to score, making it 7-1 for Spurs.

...

In the final stages of the match, Chelsea, destined to miss out on the title, vented their frustration.

In the 90th minute, Pedro's pass found Batshuayi, who scored to make it 4-1.

In stoppage time, Batshuayi scored again, cutting inside from the right and finishing to make it 5-1.

Chelsea ended the season with a 5-1 comeback win over Sunderland.

With 30 wins and 93 points, Chelsea set a new Premier League record for most wins in a season and achieved their second-highest points total in club history.

Yet, they were heartbroken as their team still couldn't secure the Premier League title.

...

At Old Trafford, it was now the 91st minute.

The stadium was as lively as a volcano, with no fans able to stay seated.

Everyone knew Crystal Palace couldn't overturn a two-goal deficit. No team could mount such a comeback at this stadium under these circumstances.

The title was in United's hands.

On the sidelines, United's substitutes stood, arm in arm, singing the team's anthem.

In the stands, countless fans stood, holding up scarves and photos, singing along.

"Even though the match isn't over, Old Trafford is already a sea of celebration."

"Yes, the title is theirs. No one can take it from United!"

"What a magnificent scene."

"The last time United won the English top league was four years ago, in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season. Since then, they've endured three years of struggle, with neither Moyes nor Van Gaal able to reclaim the Premier League title."

"After four years of waiting, this team, under Mourinho's leadership, has finally returned to the pinnacle of English football, back to the place Red Devils fans know so well!"

"This will be United's 14th Premier League title and their 21st English top league title in history!"

...

The scoreboard showed 92 minutes.

Mourinho stood on the sidelines, watching the ecstatic crowd, the substitutes ready to storm the pitch, and the deafening chants filling the air.

He straightened his suit, adjusting his tie that had been disheveled from the tension.

Standing there with a smile, he waited.

At 93 minutes and 21 seconds, referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle.

Almost instantly, Old Trafford erupted.

"Congratulations to Manchester United, to Coach Mourinho, to Bruno, to Rooney, to Ibrahimović, to Carrick, to Kante, to Rashford, to Lingard, to Mata… They are the Premier League champions of the 2016-2017 season, Manchester United!"

In the footage, United players ran wildly, cheering and celebrating, some kneeling, some raising their hands to the sky, some crying tears of joy...

On the sidelines, Mourinho raised his hands high as if embracing the title. His players rushed past him, storming the pitch. The entire stadium, the entire city, plunged into a grand celebration!

(End of the chapter)

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